High efficiency processes and inventions for producing continuing work from transient liquid pressures in a confined liquid

Abstract

High work/energy efficiency and liquid efficiency processes and inventions for producing continuing work from confined liquid transient pressures in a pressure conduit. More particularly work processes and inventions that conserve liquid and increase and maintain the amount of continuing work done by transient pressures produced in a liquid within a confined pressure system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/284,632 filed by Ronald Kurt Christensen, inventor, on Dec. 21, 2009.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE PROCESSES AND INVENTIONS

Devices that use repeating transient confined liquid pressures (such as water hammer pressures) to do work (as defined in physics and having the same measurement units as energy—termed herein and throughout simply as “work”) have been in existence for over two centuries. The first appear to have been water hammer type pumps, known as ram pumps, that pump a portion of the water entering the pump to a higher elevation using the liquid transient pressures created within the pump. Well designed ram pumps can operate at energy efficiencies of up to 85 percent, but only in limited applications where conditions of water flow and upstream water fall or head and downstream water lift are in suitable proportions. More typical energy efficiencies are about 60 percent. Further, ram pumps operate in rather limited circumstances and typically have a substantial waste flow component typically pumping only 10 to 25 percent of the water which enters the pumps and releasing the remaining 75 to 90 percent of the water to waste. Thus, ram pumps are notoriously inefficient in terms of the volume or flow of water needed for their operation in relation to the volume or flow of water actually pumped. Therefore, ram pumps are rarely used for pumping liquids other than water.

Other known devices of various descriptions use repeating transient confined liquid pressures to do other forms of work, but do not incorporate the liquid, thermal or heat, and work efficiency improvements claimed herein. Recent research accomplished in the development of the processes and inventions claimed herein has determined that continuing and greater confined liquid transient pressure work process production and efficiency can be achieved when the temperature or heat content of the liquid used is maintained or restored to a consistent and efficient temperature range as determined by the temperature and heat content of the heat source, the surroundings, and the thermal properties of the liquid used.

The claims 1 and 2 processes herein improve the work/energy and liquid efficiency of transient confined liquid pressure work processes through return of the liquid to the source (the liquid return component) coupled with liquid temperature and heat restoration or adjustment and maintenance (the temperature and heat maintenance component). Accordingly, the processes provide efficiency improvements that achieve greater liquid conservation, thermal efficiency, work production and efficiency, and continuing work done.

The claims 3 through 10 processes and inventions herein also include higher efficiency work processes and inventions that can be used for the transient confined liquid pressure drive process component of claims 1 and 2. Claims 3 through 6 processes and inventions, that can be improved by claims 7 through 10 processes and inventions, involve process and invention modifications and adaptations of a typical ram pump system to general confined liquid work processes for efficiently doing any type of work. The pumping portion of a typical ram pump system is replaced by either a “ram piston” or a “ram turbine” device. Either device can efficiently drive (drive meaning herein and throughout to operate, push, pull, compress, expand, impel, propel, thrust, move, or otherwise do work on) any device/thing (device/thing meaning herein and throughout any machine, tool, mechanism, apparatus, appliance, contrivance, contraption, gadget, piece of equipment, or the like, or any thing, object, mass, material, substance, body of mass, material, or substance, or the like) connected directly or indirectly to it and can be adapted to be operated and driven by repeating confined liquid transient pressures produced by most any means. The “ram piston” or “ram turbine” work processes and inventions thus have additional and general application because the “ram piston” or “ram turbine” inventions and processes can be incorporated into any claim 1 process, claim 2 process, or any other similar confined liquid transient pressure process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PROCESSES AND INVENTIONS

It is the object of the claimed processes and inventions to provide high work/energy efficiency and liquid efficiency processes and inventions for doing work from liquid pressure transients produced within a confined and pressurized liquid system. The processes may include liquid reuse and conservation while achieving greater and continuing work from liquid high or low pressure transients through regeneratively adjusting, restoring and maintaining a consistent range of temperature and heat content of the liquid used. It is further the object of the claimed processes and inventions to include process configurations and inventions that can be used generally and for the transient pressure drive device component of the claims 1 and 2 work processes herein that increase the work/energy production and efficiency of a confined liquid transient pressure drive process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the components of the high efficiency confined liquid transient pressure work processes of claims 1 and 2.

FIG. 2 shows side view diagram examples of the claims 3 and 4 high efficiency “ram piston” processes and inventions that also shows the claim 7 close proximity higher efficiency construction for the “ram piston.”

FIG. 3 shows side view diagram examples of the claims 5 and 6 high efficiency “ram turbine” processes and inventions that also shows the claim 7 close proximity higher efficiency construction for the “ram turbine.”

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESSES AND INVENTIONS

The processes and inventions relate to high work/energy efficiency and liquid efficiency process improvements, machinery constructions, and operation processes for doing efficient continuing work from repeating transient high or low liquid pressures in a confined conduit.

As shown in FIG. 1, the high efficiency confined liquid transient pressure work/energy process of claim 1 consists of seven process components whereby any liquid from a liquid source (10) (the liquid source component) is released or pumped into a pressure drive conduit, or source conveyance component (11) and the confined flowing liquid is conveyed at a velocity in the pressure drive conduit/source conveyance component (11) to a downstream transient pressure drive device component (15). The liquid flow enters and passes through the transient pressure drive device component (15) consisting of any configuration and construction that repeatedly produces liquid transient high or low pressures in the liquid flow and causes the transient pressures to drive any device/thing (the device/thing component (16)) directly or indirectly connected in any manner (17) to the transient pressure drive device component (15). The transient pressure drive device component (15) produces the liquid transient high or low pressures by repeatedly stopping, substantially slowing, turning, or partially obstructing the liquid flow in any manner. Liquid flowing through and exiting the transient pressure drive device (15) is thereafter conveyed to an active or passive temperature and heat maintenance component (13) by any means, which means comprises the outflow conveyance component (14). The liquid flow is then returned to the liquid source (10) or directly to the pressure drive conduit/source conveyance component (11) by any means, which means comprises the liquid return component (12).

The temperature and heat maintenance process component (13) functions to restore and maintain from the surroundings or otherwise a consistent range of temperature and heat content of the liquid to achieve continuing and efficient work/energy production from the transient pressure drive device component (15). Process components 10 through 15 may be constructed and/or operated for temperature and heat restoration and maintenance from the surroundings so that a separate temperature and heat maintenance component (13) may not be required in some applications if sufficient temperature and heat maintenance is achieved by the other components (10, 11, 15, 14, 12) for consistent, efficient, and continuing operation. However, the claimed process requires that sufficient active or passive temperature maintenance must be accomplished in the process components as a whole (10 through 15) to restore and maintain consistent efficient work producing liquid temperatures and heat content as the liquid returns and flows into the pressure drive conduit/source conveyance component (11) and transient pressure drive device (15) components to be caused to do work on the driven device/thing component (16).

Further, the liquid return component (12) may be omitted for fewer process components if liquid conservation is not needed in a particular application. The claimed process reduces in that case to liquid flow from the liquid source component (10) being conveyed at a velocity in a pressure conduit/source conveyance component (11) to the transient pressure drive device component (15) for doing work on the device/thing component (16); and thereafter, liquid flow being conveyed as needed through the outflow conveyance component (14) to the temperature and heat maintenance component (13) followed by being released to waste from the process rather than being returned to the liquid source (10).

FIG. 1 also illustrates the higher work/energy efficiency and liquid efficiency continuing work process of claim 2 wherein the liquid flow volume within a transient pressure producing cycle is minimized for achieving minimum energy loss while doing the useful work desired. The work efficiency is a function of the amount of work/energy expended versus the amount of work done on the device/thing (16). The energy expended is directly related to the volume of liquid flow that passes through the transient pressure drive component (15) from the time the flow first starts (or first begins to increase) in the pressure drive component (15) from the liquid source (10) and through the pressure drive conduit/source conveyance component (11) to the time the flow is stopped (or slowed) by the transient pressure drive device (15) to produce high transient pressures. The velocity of that flow increases near asymptotically toward the steady state velocity. At first the flow velocity through the transient pressure drive device (15) increases rapidly to near the steady state velocity with the remaining velocity increase toward the steady state velocity occurring more gradually over a comparative much longer period of time. Meanwhile, energy is expended to cause the liquid flow from the liquid source (10) through the pressure drive conduit/source conveyance component (11) and the transient pressure drive device (15). Since the magnitude of a transient pressure resulting from the stopping (or slowing) of a liquid by the transient pressure drive device (15) depends on the magnitude of the liquid flow velocity through the device (15), the greatest transient pressure work process efficiency is achieved if the flow is stopped (or slowed) by the transient pressure drive device (15) after the rapid increase in velocity while flow volume through the transient pressure drive device (15) is low compared to the flow velocity that is reached. Allowing the flow through the transient pressure drive device (15) to continue thereafter decreases work efficiency because the flowing liquid expends energy while achieving little comparative gain in the amount of work that can be done by transient pressures and the transient pressure drive device (15) when the liquid flow is stopped (or slowed).

The claim 2 work process entails the coordination of the hydraulics, design, and operations of the liquid source (10), the pressure drive conduit/source conveyance (11), and transient pressure drive device (15) components to minimize the liquid flow volume flowing in the pressure drive conduit/source conveyance component (11) and through the pressure drive device component (15) during a transient pressure producing cycle while attaining a maximum flow velocity within an optimum range for producing the liquid pressure transients within the two components (11 and 15) that optimum range being the velocity range wherein any lower maximum velocity or any higher maximum velocity appreciably reduces the work/energy efficiency of the transient pressure drive device component (15) in doing work on the device/thing component (16) from that work efficiency achieved by the transient pressure drive device component (15) when maximum flow velocity is within the optimum range. The process thus results in optimum useful work to being done by the pressure drive device (15) at an optimally minimized energy and liquid loss from the flow of the liquid through the pressure drive conduit/source conveyance component (11) and the transient pressure drive device component (15). The optimum work/energy and liquid efficiency range can be found for any system through testing, and can be estimated through computations of the cycle work done versus the cycle flow volume and cycle energy used (energy lost) in reaching various pressure drive conduit maximum flow velocities.

The process work/energy efficiency is computed by dividing the work done by the transient pressure drive device (15) on the device/thing component (16) by the overall energy lost from the release of liquid from the liquid source component (10) through the pressure drive conduit/source conveyance component (11) and through the transient pressure drive device (15) into the outflow conveyance component (14). For a return system, the energy used or lost (such as friction loss) in passing the liquid through the outflow conveyance component (14), the temperature and heat maintenance component (13), and returning the liquid through the liquid return component (12) must also be included in the energy used or lost.

The process liquid efficiency is evaluated by dividing the volume of liquid that is returned by the return component (12) to the liquid source component (10) during any selected period of time by the volume of liquid that is supplied from the liquid source component (10) during the same period of time.

FIG. 2(a) is a diagram of a typical ram pump system modified and adapted for the higher efficiency “ram piston” invention and process of claim 3 consisting of a liquid source component (10); a pressure drive conduit component (11); a transient pressure drive device component (15 of FIG. 1) consisting of a “ram piston” drive unit (15a) and a transient pressure producing outflow valve unit (15b); and a liquid outflow conveyance component (14). The outflow valve unit (15b) is opened causing liquid to flow from the liquid source component (10) through the pressure drive conduit component (11), the outflow valve (15b), either discharging directly to the surroundings through the outflow valve (15b), or discharging into the liquid outflow conveyance component (14). The liquid flow velocity increases in the pressure drive conduit component (11) and the outflow valve (15b) until the force of the flow through the outflow valve (15b) causes the outflow valve (15b) to quickly close. The sudden closing of the outflow valve (15b) causes high liquid transients in the pressure drive conduit (11) that drives the “ram piston” of the “ram piston” drive unit (15a) outward and away from the pressure drive conduit (11), which in turn drives, and does work upon, any device/thing (not shown) connected directly or indirectly to the drive unit (15a). The “ram piston” of the “ram piston” drive unit (15a) is returned to its original position (FIG. 2(b)) by gravity, mechanical, or other means.

In more detail, FIGS. 2(b) and 2(c) are diagrams of the claim 3 higher efficiency “ram piston” drive unit (15a) invention and process. A piston (300) and piston rod (301) is mounted in a cylinder (302) connected to the flow path (305) and pressure drive conduit (11). The cylinder (302) is constructed so as to have low, or atmospheric, pressure on the opposite side of the piston (300) from the pressure drive conduit (11) and the piston (300) has seals (304) which contact the cylinder wall (302) and prevent leakage of liquid from the pressure drive conduit (11) past the piston (300) to its low pressure side. In FIG. 2(b), the piston (300) is positioned such that at the time transient pressure is produced in the pressure drive conduit (11). As per claim 7, the piston is most efficient when it is in close proximity and adjacent to the pressure drive conduit liquid flow path (305) as shown. As transient pressure is produced by the closing of the outflow valve (15b of FIG. 2(a)) and thereby stopping the liquid flow, the transient pressure pushes the piston (300) and piston rod (301) outward and away from the pressure drive conduit (11) within the cylinder (302) toward its low pressure side as shown in FIG. 2(c) driving and doing work upon any device/thing directly or indirectly driven by it (not shown). As the transient pressures end, the piston (300) is returned by gravity, mechanical, or other means to its original position (FIG. 2(b)) near the pressure drive conduit (11) so that the piston (300) is ready to be again driven by the next transient pressure produced.

The liquid that enters the cylinder (302 of FIG. 2(c)) is pushed back out of the cylinder (302) by the returning piston (300) and back up the pressure drive conduit (11) into the liquid source (10). As the piston stops pushing the liquid backwards back up the pressure drive conduit (11) and back to the liquid source (10), the momentum of the backward liquid flow relieves the pressure against the outflow valve (15b) and it reopens starting the cycle again.

Or, alternatively, the piston (300) can be stopped by any means while the liquid that is entering the cylinder (302) from the pressure drive conduit (11) as the piston (300) moves away from the pressure drive conduit (11) has sufficient remaining momentum to cause a second pressure transient in the cycle. That second pressure transient travels back up the pressure drive conduit (11 of FIG. 2(a)) to the liquid source and causes a backward flow in the pressure conduit (11) to the liquid source. The momentum of the backward flow relieves the pressure against the outflow valve (15b) so that the outflow valve (15b) reopens and starts the cycle again.

If desired, the “ram piston” process and invention (FIG. 2) can be incorporated into the claims 1 and 2 processes by coupling the process and invention with the temperature and heat maintenance device component (13 of FIG. 1) and return component (12 of FIG. 1) for restoring and maintaining the liquid thermal properties and attaining the greatest liquid efficiency while maintaining continuing work and energy efficiency.

A further modification of the FIG. 2 “ram piston” invention and process as described in claim 4 makes possible the use of the “ram piston” drive unit (15a) with any transient pressure producing valve or device (15b) such as any quick operating mechanically or electrically operated valve or other quick moving valves or devices that produce repeating and cyclic transient pressures. In this process, the work load of the device/thing (not shown) directly or indirectly driven by the piston (300) and piston rod (301) is maximized and matched with the piston (300) travel distance within the cylinder (the piston stroke or the distance the piston (300) travels between the piston positions in FIGS. 2(b) and 2(c)) to produce maximum work while requiring minimum piston (300) travel distance (the piston (300) movement distructance between positions FIG. 2(b) and FIG. 2(c)) and expulsion of liquid back out of the cylinder (302) during the return stroke of the piston (300) as it returns to its original position (FIG. 2(b). Minimizing the amount of liquid that needs to be expelled from the piston cylinder (302) back into the pressure drive conduit (11) and pressure drive conduit flow path (305) on the return stroke by maximizing the device/thing work load (not shown) increases energy and liquid efficiencies. It does so by reducing and minimizing the volume of flow required to reach the desired flow velocity for producing the next set of pressure transients in the next cycle. Finally, if desired, the claim 4 further modification of the “ram piston” invention and process can be included in the claims 1 and 2 processes by adding the temperature and heat maintenance device component (13 of FIG. 1) and return component (12 of FIG. 1) for restoring and maintaining the liquid thermal properties and attaining the greatest work/energy and liquid efficiencies.

FIG. 3(a) is a diagram of the claim 5 “ram turbine” invention and process that can be part of the transient liquid pressure drive process component (15 of FIG. 1) and can also function in the processes of claims 3 and 4 in replacement of the “ram piston” unit (15a of FIG. 2) as described here. An enclosed vane-type turbine (500) is optimally mounted in close proximity and adjacent to the pressure drive conduit (11) flow path (507) (as per claim 7) and sealed against the sealed housing (501) such that leakage of liquid past or through the turbine (500) and turbine (502) is prevented. As transient pressures are repeatedly and cyclically produced in the pressure drive conduit (11) by stopping or substantially slowing the liquid flow, the transient pressure pushes one or more of the turbine vanes (502) away from the pressure drive conduit flow path (507) thereby turning the turbine (500) and drive shaft (503) doing work on any device/thing driven by the drive shaft (503) while expelling liquid under lower pressure through an optional outlet (505) and outlet check valve (504) connected to the downstream or low pressure side of the turbine housing (501). The liquid is expelled through the optional check valve (504) and outlet (505) as the turbine turns and the vanes retract (508) within or bend down against the turbine body (500) to fit within and seal against the sealed turbine housing (501). Each retracted or bent over vane (508) remains retracted within or bent against the turbine body (500) until it has rotated around to the pressure drive conduit (11) side of the turbine where the vane (502) is caused any means to again extend out and away from the turbine body (500) to be ready to be driven by the next transient pressure.

As the transient pressures become sufficiently dissipated by doing work pushing the turbine vanes (502), the optional outlet check valve (504) (which may be set or designed if desired to close prior to full transient pressure dissipation through pushing the turbine) closes and the turbine (500) stops. Or, without the optional check valve (504), the transient pressures continue to turn the turbine body (500) and drive shaft (503) until the transient pressures no longer have sufficient strength to turn the turbine (500) and drive shaft (503). At that time, whatever transient pressures are left are quickly dissipated in the pressure drive conduit (11).

When the next pressure transient set is produced in the pressure drive conduit (11), the drive vanes (502) are again driven away from the pressure drive conduit (11) flow path (507) turning the turbine (500) and drive shaft (503) while the optional outlet check valve (504) again opens and allows liquid to expel from the turbine (500) and its vanes (502). The turbine (500) inlet, outlet, and outlet check valve (504) can be constructed at any location around the circumference of the turbine so that the locations are not limited to that shown in the FIG. 3(a) diagram, but rather should be constructed in the most efficient and convenient location for the particular application of the invention.

The “ram turbine” invention and process can additionally be made to function in replacement of the “ram piston” unit (15a of FIG. 2(a)) in the claim 3 process (FIG. 2) in one of two ways. If the optional check valve (504) is used, it can be set or designed to close at a high enough pressure to stop the flow through the turbine and cause transient pressure backflow back up the pressure conduit (11 of FIG. 2(a)) that will relieve the pressure on the outflow valve (15b of FIG. 2) and cause it to reopen and begin a new cycle. In the alternative, the turbine (500) can be suddenly stopped by any means so that remaining transient pressures will cause backflow back up the pressure conduit (11 of FIG. 2(a)) to relieve the pressure on the outflow valve (15b of FIG. 2) and cause it to reopen and begin a new cycle.

FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c) are diagrams of the claim 6 rocker-type “ram turbine” invention and process that can be part of the transient liquid pressure drive process component (15 of FIG. 1) and can also function in the processes of claims 3 and 4 in replacement of the “ram piston” unit (15a of FIG. 2) as described here. In FIG. 3(b), an enclosed vane/rocker-type turbine (500) is optimally mounted in close proximity and adjacent to the pressure drive conduit (11) flow path (507) (as per claim 7) and sealed against the sealed housing (501) such that leakage of liquid past or through the turbine (500) and turbine (502) is prevented. As transient pressures are produced in the transient production device (15 of FIG. 1) by stopping or substantially slowing the pressure drive conduit (11) liquid flow, the transient pressure pushes one or more of the drive vanes (502) away from the drive conduit flow path (507) thereby turning the turbine (500) and drive shaft (503) to the position shown in FIG. 3(c) and doing work on any device/thing (not shown) driven by the drive shaft (503) as it turns. As the transient pressures become dissipated by doing work pushing the turbine vanes (502) and rotating the turbine (500) and turbine drive shaft (503), the work load on the turbine drive shaft (503) from the device/thing being driven (not shown) eventually causes the turbine (500) to stop at the position of FIG. 3(c). The rotation direction of the turbine (500), vane (502), and drive shaft (503) is then reversed by any means (gravity, mechanical, electrical, or other means) in a rocker-type return motion that returns the turbine and vanes backwards to their original position near the drive conduit (11) without the drive shaft (503) device/thing work load (not shown) to be ready to be driven by the next transient pressure (the position of FIG. 3(b). The reverse rotation of the turbine and vanes (from the position of FIG. 3(c) back to the position of FIG. 3(b)) expels the liquid that pushed the vanes (502) back into the drive conduit (11) and the cycle is ready to begin again. Though liquid must be expelled by the turbine vanes (503) to the drive conduit flow path (507), the return rotation from the position of FIG. 3(c) to the position of FIG. 3(b) requires less work because no device/thing work load is applied to, or driven by, the drive shaft (503) during the return.

In this process, as with claim 4, the work load of the device/thing (not shown) directly or indirectly driven by the “ram turbine” drive shaft (503) is maximized and matched with vane (502) travel distance to produce maximum work while requiring minimum expulsion of liquid back out of the turbine housing (501) into the drive conduit (11) during the return rotation of the “ram turbine” assembly (500, 502, 503) as it returns to its original position (FIG. 3(b). Minimizing the amount of liquid that needs to be expelled back into the drive conduit (11) and drive conduit flow path (507) on the return rotation increases energy and liquid efficiencies because it reduces and minimizes the volume of flow required to reach the desired maximum pressure drive conduit (11) flow velocity in the drive conduit flow path (507) for producing the next set of pressure transients in the next cycle.

As with claim 5, the claim 6 rocker-type modification of the “ram turbine” invention and process (FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c)) can be adapted to the claims 1 and 2 processes by adding the temperature and heat maintenance device component (13 of FIG. 1) and return component (12 of FIG. 1) for restoring and maintaining the liquid thermal properties and attaining the greatest work/energy and liquid efficiencies. Also, the claim 6 rocker-type “ram turbine” invention and process (FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c)) can additionally be made to function in replacement of the “ram piston” unit (15a of FIG. 2(a)) in the claims 3 and 4 processes (FIG. 2). The rocker-type “ram turbine” (FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c)) hydraulically functions basically in the same way as described for the “ram piston” unit (15a) and operates in similar reciprocating back and forth action. That action alternately receives transient pressurized liquid into the turbine housing (501) while doing work and expels pressure dissipated liquid back to the drive conduit (11) in reciprocal motion to and from the positions of FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c) in like manner to the claims 3 and 4 “ram piston” unit (15a) reciprocal processes. That reciprocal return motion pushing liquid back into the drive conduit from the rocker-type “ram turbine” can also cause the backflow that opens the outflow valve (15b of FIG. 2) for incorporation into the claim 3 process.

I claim the benefit of Provisional Patent No. 61/284,632 filed by Ronald Kurt Christensen, inventor, on Dec. 21, 2009.

Claims

1. Corresponding to claim 1 of Provisional Patent No. 61/284,632, a high work/energy and liquid efficiency process for producing continuing work (as defined in physics and having the same measurement units as energy—termed herein and throughout simply as “work”) from liquid transient pressures produced in a flowing liquid filled and confined pressure system or conduit; the process consisting of: (a) a liquid source component that provides the liquid for the process; (b) a pressure drive conduit component that confines and conveys the liquid from the source at a velocity under pressure to a transient pressure drive device, or for some processes, a simply liquid source conveyance component that conveys the liquid from the source to the transient pressure drive device component; (c) a transient pressure drive device component that creates transient pressures in the confined liquid in the transient pressure device and, if applicable, in the pressure drive conduit component and does work using the high or low transient liquid pressures created; (d) any thing that is worked upon or driven by the transient pressure drive device (the driven device/thing component); (e) a liquid outflow conveyance component that conveys the liquid exiting the transient pressure drive device to a temperature and heat maintenance system or device; (f) a temperature and heat maintenance system or device component that restores and maintains a consistent efficient operating temperature and heat content range for the liquid; and (g) a return component that returns all or part of the liquid to the liquid source.

Each process component can consist of any configuration or construction that can accomplish the purpose of the particular process component. Process components (a), (b), and (c) (the liquid source, pressure drive conduit/source conveyance, and transient pressure drive device components) repeatedly stop, slow, or disrupt the liquid flow velocity creating transient high or low pressures in the liquid that are made to do work, and then restart or restore the liquid flow velocity in repeating and continuing cycles of stopping, slowing, or disrupting the liquid flow, doing work from the transient pressures created, and then restarting or restoring the flow to its original maximum velocity for the start of the next repeating transient high or low pressure producing cycle (if cyclic). For some pressure drive processes, (c), such as those that disrupt the flow causing transient pressures by turning or partially obstructing the liquid flow, rather than cyclically stopping or slowing and restarting the flow, a pressure drive conduit for component (b) may not be needed, but only a conveyance system of any description that conveys the liquid from the liquid source component to the transient pressure drive component, (c). Process component (d), the driven device/thing component (device/thing meaning herein and throughout any machine, tool, mechanism, apparatus, appliance, contrivance, contraption, gadget, piece of equipment, or the like, or any thing, object, mass, material, substance, body of mass, material, or substance, or the like), consists of anything being worked upon or driven by the combined operation of process components (a), (b), and (c). Process components (e), (f), and (g) (the liquid outflow conveyance, the temperature and heat maintenance system or device, and the return components) act to receive and convey the liquid flow and restore its temperature and heat content for continuing work/energy efficiency and liquid efficiency purposes.

In particular, the transient pressure drive process component can consist of any configuration or construction that performs two functions together, or in separate units, to: (1) produce repeating high or low liquid transient pressures in the liquid flow in the drive device and pressure drive conduit component in any manner, such as stopping, slowing, turning the liquid flow direction, partially obstructing the flow, or any other manner, and (2) cause the high or low transient pressurized liquid to drive (drive meaning herein and throughout to operate, push, pull, compress, expand, impel, propel, thrust, move, or otherwise do work on) a device/thing directly or indirectly driven by the transient pressure drive device component.

The temperature and heat maintenance system or device process component can consist of any configuration or construction that can, from the surroundings or otherwise, actively or passively restore, adjust, maintain, or bring the liquid temperature and heat content to within a consistent temperature and heat range to maintain continuing production of efficient work done by the transient pressure drive component process and device. The range can be most any temperature or heat content range as determined by the liquid properties, and by the type, temperature, and heat range of the energy source that is used for the temperature and heat maintenance device component. The important component function to maintain continued work efficiency and production is to restore and maintain sufficiently consistent liquid temperatures and heat content in the returning liquid to achieve consistent and continued work production from transient pressures produced in the transient pressure drive device component.

Process components (a), (b), (c), (e), and (g) above can also function as part of the temperature and heat maintenance component system so that in some process applications a separate temperature and heat maintenance system or device component, (f), may not be needed if sufficient heat exchange occurs from the surroundings or otherwise with respect to the other process components to restore, adjust, and maintain consistent, continuing, and efficient liquid thermal and transient pressure operating conditions. If not, then the temperature and heat maintenance component, (f), is claimed as required in the process because temperature and heat restoration, adjustment and maintenance is essential and required in the claimed process for producing consistent and efficient continuing work from liquid pressure transients. The claimed process requires that sufficient active or passive liquid temperature and heat maintenance must be accomplished in the process components as a whole to restore or maintain a consistent range of efficient liquid temperatures and heat content as the liquid enters into the pressure drive conduit and transient pressure drive device components to be caused to do work, or to maintain the environment if the liquid is eventually released to the environment.

The liquid source and temperature and heat maintenance components, coupled with conveyance components (such as (e) and (g) above) that convey liquid to and from them as needed or desired, are interchangeable in position in the process and can be upstream or downstream of each other depending upon a particular application need. The liquid return component can return the liquid directly to the pressure drive conduit component bypassing the liquid source component, if desired. Or, the liquid return component may be omitted if liquid conservation is not needed in a process application. But if so, and the liquid is released from the process to the surrounding environment, the temperature and heat maintenance component are claimed as a process component that can be used for liquid temperature restoration and maintenance for environmental protection, restoration, or enhancement upon release after the liquid is caused to do work.

2. A high work/energy efficiency and liquid efficiency continuing work process for the process of claim 1 wherein the hydraulics, design, and operations of the liquid source, pressure drive conduit and transient pressure drive device components are constructed, designed, or otherwise fashioned to minimize the liquid flow volume required to reach efficient maximum flow velocities in the pressure drive conduit and/or transient pressure drive device component after the flow is stopped or slowed and restarted in the transient pressure drive device component—those efficient drive flow maximum velocities being within an optimum range wherein any lower maximum velocity or any higher maximum velocity appreciably reduces work or energy efficiency from that achieved within the optimum range.

That optimum work/energy and liquid efficiency range varies for a given system or process depending on the system hydraulics and process characteristics. The work/energy efficiency is a function of the amount of work/energy expended versus the amount of work done to drive any device/thing. The energy expended is directly related to the volume of liquid flow that occurs from the time the flow first starts (or first begins to increase) to the time the flow is stopped (or slowed) to produce high transient pressures. The velocity of that flow increases near asymptotically toward the steady state velocity. At first the flow velocity increases rapidly to near the steady state velocity with the remaining velocity increase toward the steady state velocity occurring more gradually over a comparative much longer period of time. Meanwhile, energy is expended to cause the liquid flow. Since the magnitude of a transient pressure resulting from the stopping (or slowing) of a liquid depends on the magnitude of the liquid flow velocity, the greatest transient pressure work process efficiency is achieved if the flow is stopped (or slowed) after the rapid increase in velocity while flow volume is low compared to the flow velocity that is reached. Allowing the flow to continue thereafter decreases work efficiency because the flowing liquid merely expends energy while achieving little comparative gain in the amount of work that can be done by transient pressures when the liquid flow is stopped (or slowed).

3. Corresponding to claim 2 of Provisional Patent No. 61/284,632, a high efficiency work/energy process and invention for a transient pressure drive process that embodies a modification and adaptation of a typical ram pumping process to create a “ram piston” work process and invention. As with a typical ram pump process, the invention and process include a hydraulically or liquid driven alternately opening and closing outflow valve, of any description or configuration connected near the downstream end of a pressure drive conduit, that opens in response to low pressure at the valve and closes in response to higher pressure and liquid flow drag in the valve as in any typical ram pumping process. But, the invention and process modification and adaptation replaces the check valve, the air chamber, and outlet conduit through which liquid would be pumped in a ram pumping process with a piston (the “ram piston”) within a cylinder. The piston is positioned within a cylinder that is connected to the pressure drive conduit and has lower pressure in the cylinder on the opposite side of the piston from the pressure drive conduit. The piston is constructed to seal off and block the escape of the drive liquid past the piston to the lower pressure side. When transient pressures are produced in the pressure drive conduit upon the hydraulic closing of the outflow valve, this sealed piston construction increases work efficiency and output as the transient pressures drive the piston outward toward the low pressure end of the cylinder and the piston does work upon any device/thing connected to, or otherwise driven by it. If desired, the invention and process can be incorporated into the claim 1 or claim 2 processes. The piston and cylinder can be of any size, but generally a larger cylinder and piston is more powerful and thus usually more efficient. Finally, work/energy efficiency can be improved by providing higher liquid source pressures into the pressure drive conduit, the “ram piston,” and outflow valve if sufficiently low flow volumes can be achieved through the outflow valve to minimize lost or used energy.

4. Corresponding to claim 2 of Provisional Patent No. 61/284,632, a high efficiency work/energy process and invention for the transient pressure drive component for the claims 1 and 2 processes that embodies a further modification of the “ram piston” invention and process of claim 3 by: (1) replacing the hydraulically driven/operated outflow valve of the “ram piston” transient pressure drive process of claim 3 with any transient pressure producing device such as mechanically or electrically driven valve, or the like, and (2) controlling in any manner the work load of the device/thing and the timing of the valve operation or other pressure transient production device to maximize work output and minimize energy loss and liquid loss. As in claim 3, after the piston is driven outward in the cylinder by transient pressure, the liquid that has entered the cylinder in driving the piston is expelled or exhausted directly back into the pressure drive conduit from which it came by the return movement of the piston. The greater the work load driven by the piston, the lesser the travel distance of the piston will be and the lesser the liquid volume that must be expelled from the cylinder, and thus, the greater will be the work/energy and liquid efficiencies. Further, the claimed process and invention is comprised of minimal elements and moving parts for ease of construction, reduced cost, and ease and reliability of operation. The process and invention has no intermediate piping, conduits, controls, or valving that must direct the transient pressure to the cylinder and “ram piston.” But, rather the piston and cylinder are directly connected for: (1) maximum drive and work efficiency from the transient pressure, (2) reduced cost, and (3) greater reliability through reduced opportunity for malfunctions from plugging or sticking of valves or plugging of conduits. Again, the piston and cylinder can be of any size, but generally a larger cylinder and piston is more powerful and thus usually more efficient. Work/energy efficiency can be improved by higher liquid source pressures into the pressure drive conduit, the “ram piston” and outflow valve if the flow volume through the outflow valve can be minimized by the system design.

5. A high efficiency work/energy process and invention that includes a construction of a “ram turbine” which is comprised of an enclosed vane turbine, water wheel, or other enclosed blade or fin-type turbine wherein transient pressure produced by any downstream device drives the vanes, blades, or fins (herein and throughout the application called vanes) of the enclosed turbine. The turbine vanes are constructed to seal against the turbine housing so that transient pressurized liquid does not escape past the vanes as the liquid drives the turbine. The transient pressurized liquid drives and turns the turbine by pushing the vanes and expelling liquid under lower pressure through an outlet and an optional check valve connected to the outlet. The check valve can both act to prevent reverse flow, if needed, and to maintain a minimum pressure needed to force liquid through the valve and thereby needed to operate the turbine. The sealed construction acts to prevent liquid from escaping through the enclosed turbine without driving the turbine vanes so that the transient pressure drives the turbine with higher efficiency and force and greater work output is achieved. To force liquid out of the turbine outlet, the turbine vanes are constructed such that they retract or bend over to expel liquid out the turbine outlet. The turbine, vanes can be of any size, but generally the greater the surface area of the vanes the more powerful the “ram turbine” and thus usually the more efficient. Finally, work/energy efficiency can be improved by higher liquid source pressures into the pressure drive conduit and the “ram turbine” if the cycle flow volume can be minimized by the system design.

The “ram turbine” invention and process can be adapted to operate and function in any of the processes of claims 1 through 4. In the processes of claims 1 and 2, the “ram turbine” invention and process functions as part of the transient pressure drive device component. In the processes of claims 3 and 4, the “ram piston” is replaced by the “ram turbine” and the process of driving the turbine is essentially the same except that the liquid that drives the turbine is not expelled back or returned to the pressure drive conduit through backward flow out of the turbine, but is forced through the turbine and out of the downstream turbine outlet and optional check valve. The liquid exiting the turbine outlet and optional check valve is either returned to the source by any means or is released to the surrounding environment and conveyed away from the “ram turbine” invention by any means. In adaptation to the claim 3 process, wherein the transient pressure producing device is a hydraulically operated outflow valve, the check valve on the turbine outlet operates to cause hydraulic reopening of the outflow valve by closing and causing backflow back up the pressure drive conduit.

6. A high efficiency work/energy process and invention that modifies and converts the design and operation of the “ram turbine” of claim 5 into a rocker-type “ram turbine.” The “ram turbine” is modified to eliminate the outlet check valve and any downstream conveyance connected to the outlet so that the outlet or downstream side of the turbine opens to the atmosphere. The turbine is also modified so that it only has sufficient vanes to cause the turbine to turn without expelling liquid through the turbine while the vanes are being pushed by transient pressures. As the transient pressures dissipate to the point where the pressure can no longer turn the turbine, the turbine stops. The direction of the turbine rotation is reversed by any means (mechanically, electrically, by gravity or other means) and the turbine vanes rotate back to their original position to be ready to be pushed by the next set of transient pressures. As the turbine rotates back, the vanes push and expel the drive liquid back out of the turbine housing and back into drive conduit. The motion of the turbine, its vanes, and its drive shaft thus becomes a back and forth rocker-type motion that in one direction drives any device/thing connected directly or indirectly to the turbine drive shaft and then resets and rotates back in the opposite direction without doing work on the device/thing so that the turbine vanes are more easily rotated back to their original position to be ready to be pushed and driven again.

As with claim 5, the sealed vane and turbine housing construction acts to prevent liquid from escaping through the enclosed turbine without driving the turbine vanes so that the transient pressure drives the turbine with higher efficiency and force and greater work output is achieved. But, because there is no full rotation, the vanes do not need to retract or bend against the housing. The construction and operation of the rocker-type “ram turbine” is therefore simpler with less chance of plugging and blade malfunction. However, as with the “ram piston” the drive liquid is expelled back into the drive conduit with the return or backward movement of the turbine and its vanes. So, as with the claim 4 “ram piston,” generally the greater the work load driven by the turbine, the lesser the turbine vane travel distance and, in turn, the lesser the liquid volume that must be expelled back from the turbine to the drive conduit, and thus, the greater will be the work/energy and liquid efficiencies.

The turbine, vanes can be of any size, but generally the greater the surface area of the vanes the more powerful the “ram turbine” and thus usually the more efficient. Work/energy efficiency can also be improved by higher liquid source pressures into the pressure drive conduit and the “ram turbine” if the cycle flow volume can be minimized by the system design.

The rocker-type “ram turbine” invention and process can be adapted to operate and function in any of the processes of claims 1 through 4. In the processes of claims 1 and 2, the rocker-type “ram turbine” invention and process functions as part of the transient pressure drive device component. In the processes of claims 3 and 4, the “ram piston” is replaced by the rocker-type “ram turbine” and the process of driving the turbine is essentially the same as for a “ram piston.”

7. Corresponding to claim 5 of Provisional Patent No. 61/284,632, a higher efficiency work process where the “ram piston” of claims 3 and 4, or the “ram turbine” of claims 5 and 6, is constructed and operated in the process such that the piston or turbine vanes are positioned immediately adjacent to the flow path of the flowing liquid so that each time a transient pressure is produced in the flowing liquid the piston or turbine receives the full force of the pressure transient to do work.

8. Corresponding to claim 6 of Provisional Patent No. 61/284,632 An additional higher work efficiency process for the processes and inventions of 1 through 7 wherein the device/thing driven by the transient pressure drive device is directly or indirectly connected such that the device/thing exerts its maximum work load upon the transient pressure drive device each time the pressure transient is first produced and first begins to drive the transient pressure drive device. The transient pressure is thereby caused to do maximum work on the transient pressure drive device, and in turn, the transient pressure drive device drives and does maximum work upon the device/thing directly or indirectly connected to, and being driven, by the pressure drive device.

9. Corresponding to claim 1 of Provisional Patent No. 61/284,632, an additional higher work and liquid efficiency invention and process for the claimed processes and inventions of claims 1 through 6 such that all components and inventions described in claims 1 through 6 may be made of any materials that can withstand the pressures and movements to which they are subjected and that will not be unduly corroded or damaged by the liquid used. But that, the more rigid (incompressible and inelastic) the materials used for the pressure drive conduit component and the transient pressure drive device component, the higher the transient pressures and work output will be and the greater will be the work/energy production and efficiency of each process and invention.

10. Corresponding to claim 8 of Provisional Patent No. 61/284,632, the high efficiency processes and inventions of claims 1 through 9 can be constructed and operated as multiple processes and inventions in any combination in parallel (adjacent process systems and/or inventions working separately or together to do work) and/or in series (downstream processes and/or inventions receiving liquid inflow from the outflow of upstream processes working separately or together to do work).